euro adhoc: Spark Networks plc
Restructuring & Recapitalisations
Spark
Networks® Seeks Shareholder Approval to Reorganize in the United States
Disclosure announcement transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer is responsible for the content of this announcement.
Proxy Filings
23.03.2007
Spark Networks® Seeks Shareholder Approval to Reorganize in the United States
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., March 23, 2007 -- Spark Networks (MHJG: Prime Standard Frankfurt, LOV: AMEX), a leading provider of online personals services, has filed a preliminary proxy with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in order to establish Spark Networks plc as a subsidiary of Spark Networks, Inc., a corporation that will be incorporated in Delaware. A copy of the preliminary proxy may be found on the company's website, www.spark.net, in the investor relations section under "SEC filings".
Pending shareholder and U.K. court approval, the shares (including the Global Depositary Shares (GDSs) and American Depositary Shares (ADSs)) of the U.K. company, Spark Networks plc, will be cancelled and shareholders, GDS holders and ADS holders will each receive one share of Spark Networks, Inc.'s common stock for each ordinary share (or depositary share) that they currently own.
The proposed Delaware reorganization of the Company will be effected by way of a Scheme of Arrangement under U.K. law.
Under the proposed Scheme of Arrangement, it is intended that the shares of common stock in Spark Networks, Inc. will be listed for trading on the American Stock Exchange, and Spark Networks plc's GDSs and ADSs will no longer trade on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and American Stock Exchange, respectively.
Additional Information and Where to Find It: The Company's preliminary proxy statement outlines the proposed Scheme of Arrangement in further detail. Shareholders are advised to read the preliminary proxy statement and the final proxy statement when it becomes available because they contain important information. Shareholders may obtain a free copy of the preliminary proxy statement and the final proxy statement (when available) and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. Free copies of the proxy statement, once available, and the Company's annual report may also be obtained from the Company by directing a request to Gail Laguna, Spark Networks plc, 8383 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 800, Beverly Hills, CA 90211.
Participants in the Solicitation: Spark Networks plc and its executive officers and directors may be deemed, under SEC rules, to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company's shareholders. Information regarding the executive officers and directors of Spark Networks plc is included in its Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on March 22, 2007 and its Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 22, 2006. More detailed information regarding the identity of potential participants, and their direct or indirect interests, by securities holdings or otherwise, are set forth in the preliminary proxy statement and will be set forth in the final proxy statement and other materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the Extraordinary General Meeting.
About Spark Networks plc: Spark Networks' American Depository Shares trade on the American Stock Exchange under the symbol "LOV," and its Global Depositary Shares trade on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol "MHJG." The Spark Networks portfolio of consumer websites includes, among others, JDate®.com (www.jdate.com), AmericanSingles®.com (www.americansingles.com), BlackSingles.com® (www.blacksingles.com), and Relationships.com (www.relationships.com).
Contacts:
Investors: Mark Thompson + 1 323 836 3000 ext. 4015 mthompson@spark.net
Media: Gail Laguna + 1 323 836 3000 ext. 4022 glaguna@spark.net
end of announcement euro adhoc 23.03.2007 18:21:54
Further inquiry note:
Bettina Ziehl
Value Relations GmbH
Tel.: +49 (0)69 95 92 46-14
E-Mail: b.Ziehl@vrir.de
Branche: Electronic Commerce
ISIN: US8465131097
WKN: A0DPY1
Index: Classic All Share, Prime All Share
Börsen: Frankfurter Wertpapierbörse / regulated dealing/prime
standard
Börse Berlin-Bremen / free trade
Hamburger Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Baden-Württembergische Wertpapierbörse / free trade
Börse Düsseldorf / free trade
Niedersächsische Börse zu Hannover / free trade
Bayerische Börse / free trade